Leeds Rhinos boss Zooms in on Super League law changes

Leeds Rhinos coach Richard Agar says he is happy to go with the flow as rugby league considers changes to the interchange rules following coronavirus.
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Agar took part in a two-hour meeting this week, via video chat app Zoom, with coaches from Betfred Super League, the Championship and League One.

Items on the agenda included plans for restarting rugby league after coronavirus and possible rule changes.

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The Rugby Football League (RFL’s) laws committee will meet on Wednesday, with players, medical experts, match officials, the media and coaches all represented.

Leeds Rhinos coach Richard Agar. Picture by Jonathan Gawthorpe.Leeds Rhinos coach Richard Agar. Picture by Jonathan Gawthorpe.
Leeds Rhinos coach Richard Agar. Picture by Jonathan Gawthorpe.

Wakefield Trinity’s Chris Chester will speak for the coaches from all three professional divisions and the meeting two days ago - which he co-chaired with the RFL’s chief on-field officer Dave Rotheram - was called for them to share thoughts and raise concerns.

Any recommendations from the laws committee must be ratified by the RFL board before being introduced.

With 22 Super League rounds - plus games in hand, Challenge Cup ties and play-offs - set to be squeezed into as little as four months, player welfare is a major concern.

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Increasing the number of interchanges from the present eight is one option, but Agar admitted his mindset is “whatever they tell us, I’ll do”.

Richard Agar, left, with Rhinos directolr of rugby Kevin Sinfield. Picture by Simon Hulme.Richard Agar, left, with Rhinos directolr of rugby Kevin Sinfield. Picture by Simon Hulme.
Richard Agar, left, with Rhinos directolr of rugby Kevin Sinfield. Picture by Simon Hulme.

He said: “We are going to be playing more games a month, so is it beneficial to alleviate some fatigue that we go to 10 interchanges?

“The international law is 10 interchanges and that wouldn’t be a massive drama for me.

“We don’t always use our eight, but we may get to a point where we’re playing six games a month instead of four or playing three times a week five or six times before the end of the year, so it is something to consider.

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“There are player welfare aspects in that and I think it [10 interchanges] might be worth some consideration, but we are quite prepared to use our squad through those times anyway.

Wakefield Trinity boss Chris Chester.Wakefield Trinity boss Chris Chester.
Wakefield Trinity boss Chris Chester.

“I am pretty ambivalent to it; if there’s a feeling it could help player welfare in what will be a tough time, then by all means, but in a normal weekend, eight is enough for me.”

Australia’s NRL resumed last month under new rules, including restarting the tackle count - rather than a penalty - for infringements around the ruck.

Two rounds had been completed when the laws were altered, but Super League will begin again at round eight and Agar feels that is too late to make changes for this season.

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“My take on it is wait and see,” he said. “Let’s have a look at it.

“We are in a good position where we can watch and see how it goes in the NRL.”

But he insisted: “It is a different style of game over there, I am not sure we have the same problems in the wrestle they have.

“Super League is a different style of football. The ball is going to be in play more, but for us, we just need to look at it and see if it enhances the spectacle.”

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Agar said the purpose of this week’s meeting was “just gathering opinion from coaches”.

He added: “We were throwing ideas about and suggestions around on any measures we need to take and rule changes which would perhaps enhance the game moving forward.

“It is something that’s done on a regular basis, generally in person.

“The RFL delivered some potential return to play protocols; not dates, but just explaining step-by-step what each phase looks like.”

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The Leeds boss admitted: “It is very hard, when you’ve got 40-odd people on a Zoom call - to have an effective discussion, in my opinion.

“I think that was more challenging than some of the things we talked about.

“Chris Chester, who was half-chairing it with Dave Rotheram, certainly had my sympathy.”

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